Wow, there could be nothing mroe hysterical than watching a king deal with chickenpox. It was a briliant idea, and very well-exectuted too.

Stoneage Woman chapter 4 . 12/21/2008

LOL, this was so cute and hilarious! I'm so sorry I've been so neglectful about reading it! I've just been really busy, with exams, college, tests, assignments...you get the picture. This story was great. Now I'm off to read Alphabet of Arda...

LOL! Poor Arwen and Faramir. I'm glad Aragorn finally came to his senses enough to apologize to Faramir. It certainly wasn't an easy situation for all of them. I'm very sure they all prefer Aragorn in the role of healer, Aragorn included! *g* The last sentence really made me grin - I can just imagine Faramir and Arwen rolling their eyes at hearing it! :D I enjoyed this story very much, Linda!

Right, for a start I am really impressed that you are quoting /Döblin/. He's not exactly an author that even Germans read very often (unless, of course, they study literature), so for a British person even to know him is a sign of some serious education. ;-)

This is just so, so typical. As soon as they feel the slightest bit better, they need to be entertained. That game of chess was very funny to read. Imagine it driving Faramir so mad that he would even bend the truth to escape it! "Never before had a meeting seemed so enjoyable to the Steward." Priceless! And Aragorn complaining about the scratching pen - that made me laugh.

The humour in this story is delightful, the psychology feasible and the moral message clear, but not overdone. I really enjoy these medium length stories that you write, they give the space to explore a situation leisurely and in depth, while still concentrating on a single point of interest.

Niggle:

"His gaze brightened" - I would put "Aragorn's" instead of "his", because otherwise it seems to refer to Faramir.

Ah, how exciting! Another chapter of this wonderful story! I was so pleased to see you include the chess scene I helped you with awhile back. :-) That was fun! Aragorn truly was a difficult patient, but I was glad he came to his senses in the end. This was a most enjoyable story to read, and was very honored to share 1st place with you. :-)

I've seen all the Star Trek TNG episodes, but can't recall who was behaving like Aragorn - was it Picard? Anyway, I think Faramir should get special hazard pay and a trip to Imladris (courtesy of the King's treasury) for having to babysit petulant sick Aragorn while also ruling Gondor in the king's absence.

LOL! I'm not sure whom to pity more - Aragorn or everyone who's trying to care for him. *g* He would certainly give me a headache, too! Luckily Faramir is both a patient man and a skilled diplomat. It seems to be true that healers are the worst patients. ;-) I hope for all of them that Aragorn will feel better soon!

P.S. I'm just re-watching the episodes of Star Trek TNG. I haven't reached "Up the Long Ladder" yet (I'm still in the middle of season one), but I'll certainly think of this story when I watch it now. :)

"That I should be laid low by such an undignified ailment! The shame of it! None save those closest to me must ever hear that their King was felled by a childish malady!”

Ah, Aragorn is not without vanity. ;-)

“I cannot spend weeks playing in the garden!” Aragorn replied testily. LOL! And how he doesn't want any of the books! Very funny.

"Cirion should not have ceded territory to Rohan permanently, while Pelendur should have awarded the crown to Arvedui; in which case Aragorn would have been able to wed Arwen in his twentieth year." ROFL! Oh, this is absolutely hilarious...